How to Prevent Equipment Theft: Is It a Silent Night at the Jobsite?
by Scott Cornell
December 4, 2009
While enjoying the holidays at home with loved ones, is all calm and bright on your jobsite?
Heavy equipment and jobsites are frequently targeted over the holidays. Do you have a security plan in place to safeguard your equipment?
Equipment owners, dealers and rental companies need to be aware of the increased security risks during the upcoming holidays and to put prevention plans in place.
Acting on a few of these recommendations could reduce your risk:
- Ensure that lighting is adequate. Lighting is one of the most valuable deterrents for thefts that occur at night. Be sure lighting works to expose any activity on a site.
- Secure the equipment. Chain link fences can provide useful deterrents but are not always adequate alone to prevent thefts. In some recent thefts, portable chain link fences were pushed aside or unbolted. Create an additional line of defense by securing the equipment within the job site as well.
- Run fuel down as much as possible in all equipment.
- Take advantage of security features that are already in your surroundings. Move the equipment in line of view of any video cameras that may be on the outside of neighboring buildings or businesses.
- Disable machines that have to be left on the site. Have field service mechanics remove battery cables; pull fuses, relays or ignition circuits; and remove tires. Make use of lock-up devices that prevent operation. See www.equipmentlock.com for examples.
- Install covert trackers. Consider installing covert trackers on higher valued equipment. Covert tracking systems already installed should be geo-fenced for the weekend.
- Encourage efforts to prevent theft by involving everyone on the site. Discourage subcontractors from leaving or storing unused equipment on your site.
About Travelers Inland
Travelers Inland is a leading provider of business insurance products and solutions for operations involved with fixed and mobile property of all types including domestic cargo for all modes and forms of transportation; fine art; communication equipment; scheduled and non-scheduled property floaters; and all types of property used during the course of construction or installation. www.travelers.com/business/inland/index.aspx
Scott Cornell
Scott Cornell is the national manager for Travelers Specialty Investigations Group. He specializes in investigation and prevention methods surrounding Inland Marine insurance losses. Cornell manages the only countrywide team of insurance investigators responsible for conducting investigations related to theft and recovery. Additionally, Cornell works closely with Travelers Inland’s underwriting team assisting in assessing risk exposures for its clients.
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